SADC: Paper And Paperboard Market 2025

Paper And Paperboard Market Size in SADC

The SADC paper and paperboard market declined modestly to $X in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, posted strong growth. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Paper And Paperboard Production in SADC

In value terms, paper and paperboard production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 112% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Paper And Paperboard Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated), when their volume decreased by -6.3% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports recorded a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 48% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper and paperboard exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 53% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the key exporter of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) in SADC, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was near 56% of total exports in 2022. Botswana (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Mozambique (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 37% share of total exports. Zimbabwe (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to paper and paperboard exports from South Africa stood at -10.6%. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+29.8%) and Mozambique (+19.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +29.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Botswana (-3.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe increased by +13, +7.8 and +4.3 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Mozambique ($X), South Africa ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 97% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Zimbabwe, with a CAGR of +36.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 44% against the previous year. Export price indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, paper and paperboard export price increased by +118.5% against 2015 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while Botswana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+12.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper And Paperboard Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated), when their volume decreased by -45.5% to X tons. In general, imports continue to indicate a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 87% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper and paperboard imports fell to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) represented the largest importer of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated), generating 53% of total imports. Mauritius (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Botswana (9.6%), Mozambique (8.4%) and Namibia (5.3%). The following importers - Angola (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) - each reached a 7.3% share of total imports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated). At the same time, Namibia (+12.9%), Mauritius (+8.3%) and Mozambique (+3.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Namibia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +12.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Botswana (-9.7%), Zimbabwe (-11.8%) and Angola (-15.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+12 p.p.), Mauritius (+7.2 p.p.), Namibia (+4.2 p.p.) and Mozambique (+4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Zimbabwe (-5.5 p.p.), Botswana (-9.5 p.p.) and Angola (-11.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) in SADC, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mozambique ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Mauritius, with an 8.2% share.

In South Africa, paper and paperboard imports decreased by an average annual rate of -1.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mozambique (+7.3% per year) and Mauritius (+7.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 60% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while Botswana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zimbabwe (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform